Kris Kristofferson - The Prophet

from : tgannon@charlie . usd . edu ( spideir )

pilgrim chapter 33 ( kris kristofferson )
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

– – comp . k . kristofferson , 1971 ( “transcr . /Arr . ” tcg )
– – 4/4 // keys of G , A // moderately
– – rhythm guitar : alternate bass ( see intro; ^ = downstrum; v = “upstrum” )

intro : G ^ v G6 ^ v
| | – – – – – 3 – – 3 – – – – – – – – – 3 – – 3 – – – – | |
| | – – – – – 0 – – 0 – – – – – – – – – 0 – – 0 – – – – | |
| | o – – – – 0 – – 0 – – – – – – – – – 0 – – 0 – – – o | |
| | o – – – – 0 – – 0 – – – 0h2 – – – 2 – – 0 – – – o | |
| | – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – | |
| | – – 3 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – | |

intro recitation ( over riff above ) :
“i started out writin’ this song about . . . [ insert own music gods! ] ”

[ notes : * each chord name below = one entire “bum – chicky – bum – chicky”;
* ( . . . sus4 ) = add sus4 to 2nd half of measure )
* letters in are bass notes than can optionally be
incorporated into guitar accompaniment ]

verse 1 : [ add sus4 to 2nd half of G measures at will ]

G G G G
see him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans ,
C C G G
wearin’ yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile – –
C C G Em
once he had a future full of money , love , and dreams ,
A7 A7 D ( . . . sus4 ) D
which he spent like they was goin’ outa style – –
G G G G
and he keeps right on a’changin’ for the better or the worse ,
C D G G
searchin’ for a shrine he’s never found – –
C C G G
never knowin’ if believin’ is a blessin’ or a curse ,
C D G G
or if the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down – –

chorus :
C C
he’s a poet , he’s a picker – –
G G
he’s a prophet , he’s a pusher – –
D D D G
he’s a pilgrim and a preacher , and a problem when he’s stoned – –
C C G G
he’s a walkin’ contradiction , partly truth and partly fiction ,
D D D G G
takin’ ev’ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home .

[ modulate whole – step up : ] A ( . . . sus4 ) A ( . . . sus4 )

verse 2 : [ add sus4 to 2nd half of a measures at will ]

A A A A
he has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars ,
D D A A
and he’s traded in tomorrow for today – –
D D A F#m
runnin’ from his devils , lord , and reachin’ for the stars ,
B7 B7 E E
and losin’ all he’s loved along the way – –
A A A A
but if this world keeps right on turnin’ for the better or the worse ,
D E A A
and all he ever gets is older and around – –
D D A A
from the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse ,
D ( or Bm ) E A A
the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down – –

chorus
D D
he’s a poet , he’s a picker – –
A A
he’s a prophet , he’s a pusher – –
E E E A
he’s a pilgrim and a preacher , and a problem when he’s stoned – –
D D A A
he’s a walkin’ contradiction , partly truth and partly fiction ,
E E E A A / G# F#
takin’ ev’ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home .

E E E [ A : coda riff ]
there’s a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home .

coda riff : Am6
1 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 2 3 [ hold ]
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